True Crime

The car alarm wailed and pierced the night.

The loud shriek of his car alarm startled William Crawford out of bed. He quickly rushed outside to see what was going on.

As the alarm blared from his car parked along the street, he saw a car peel away. Crawford wasn’t able to get a look at any suspects or a license plate number. Unfortunately, shards of glass littered the interior of his car, creating a real mess.

“They just broke the window,” he says. “I guess they hit it with a hammer or something.”

Despite the damage, the bright side is that nothing inside was stolen. Police believe the suspects were probably scared away.

This is one time when a car alarm did its job. Repairing the window would set Crawford back about $200 and some time and hassle, but things could have been much worse.

Major Edwin Ruiz-Diaz of the Southwest Patrol Division says an alarm system is an important component of a theft prevention plan.

“On occasion a would-be thief will be scared off by an alarm going off in a vehicle or residence that they have targeted,” he says. “However, it is important to remember that good lighting around your vehicle, hiding or removing all valuables even if you will only be away from the car for a second, locking your vehicle and being aware of suspicious people in your vicinity are also extremely important when trying to prevent theft.”

| crime numbers |

6900

Block of Maryibel where two people died after a man shot a woman and then himself following an argument at about 7 p.m. Oct. 7.

$2,520

Value of beer and shattered glass two men stole and broke at about 2:50 p.m. Oct. 6. The suspects attempted to steal beer from a Chevron at 255 W. Illinois and threw beer cans through the front doors when the man working locked them in.

2

Number of adults who died after being rear-ended by a drunk driver at about 11:56 p.m. on Sept. 30. The driver, Henry Aaron, was headed eastbound on 3700 W. Davis when he struck a 2012 GMC Terrain.